"My kitten, Loni," Mark introduces, gesturing to a stunning brunette with captivating green eyes.

Much like Natasha, her kitten costume leaves little to the imagination but with her stunning figure I don't blame her. She moves with such feline grace as she settles down on Mark's lap in a way to best showcase her assets.

Jonathan's grip around my waist tightens, drawing my attention back to him. Instantly I see his carefree smile has disappeared, leaving a tight lipped frown in its place. My heart drops noticing his gaze on her.

She was his...

My chest tightens painfully as my mind races with images of Jonathan and that goddess together. Looking between them I know I'm right.

I could never measure up to her...

"Look at me," he grits out, eyes locked on mine. Instantly I obey but can't hold his gaze. "Bella, stop." His fingers tap my temple as though he can see exactly what's racing through my mind.

"Sorry Sir," I whimper, dropping my gaze once more. A ghost of a smirk tugs at Loni's lips as she watches me intently.

"Come on," he whispers, caressing my cheek and standing up, taking me with him before setting me down gently. "If you'll excuse us for a moment."

I follow Jonathan without complaint through the mass of people in a fog. He may have told me to stop my train of thought but apparently my mind doesn't listen to him any better than it does me.

Suddenly the din of the party is gone and we're left outside under a twinkling lit canopy on a stone walk. The cool evening breeze skins across my cheeks giving me some much needed relief.

"What's going on in there?" Jonathan asks after giving me a moment to collect myself.

"Noth-" my dismissal dies on my lips as I take in his dark gaze. "Sorry."

"Angel, tell me," he sighs, pulling me closer. His touch is so gentle and brows knit together as he gazes at me that it only makes my chest tighter.

"She was yours, wasn't she?" I ask, barely a whisper as I look at the buttons on his jacket.

Jonathan sighs, confirming my fears. "We both had pasts before we crossed paths," Jonathan murmurs, lifting my chin to look at him. "She was a very, very, very small part of mine."

"Sorry," I mumble once more. He's right, it's stupid to think he didn't have someone before me. I KNEW he did, but knowing and seeing a goddess of a woman is completely different.

"Izabella, you are my present and future. There has NEVER been anyone like you in my life, what we have..." Jonathan struggles to put his thoughts into words. "Izzy what we have is everything, I've never even come close to this with anyone else."

I lean into his palm as he caresses soft circles across my cheek. One of my biggest fears is that I need him more than he needs me.

"But you were upset seeing her with Mark?" I ask, remembering how he tensed up when he saw her.

"No, not in the slightest," Jonathan scoffs. "The moment she saw you sitting on my lap and put two and two together... I don't like the way she was looking at you."

"At me?" I ask, sniffing lightly.

Jonathan frowns and lets out a breath, looking like he's debating something with himself. "I ended things... She was not happy. It was about as far from amicable as possible."

"Oh," I mumble, dropping my gaze.

If he could toss her away, what could he possibly see in me?

"Stop," Jonathan orders, giving me a hard look. "Izzy, you have everything she ever wanted. I can see your wheels working but you're on the wrong path. I love you, not her, I never have and never will."

I gasp and push back on his chest, locking my wide eyes on his, convinced I've heard him wrong but he just stares confidently at me. My heart flutters in my throat as my thoughts derail completely.

"Y-you...you...." I stammer.

"I love you," he reiterates, cupping my cheek. "You are the best thing that has happened to me, and I can't imagine my life without you." My bottom lip begins to tremble and my eyes water with unshed tears as my chest hurts.

He loves me...

Me?

"Don't cry Angel," he whispers, wiping a tear away before it can fall. His warm brown eyes search mine as he gives me the time I need to process everything.

"You love me?" I mumble, trying to make sense of it. "But I'm-"

"You." Jonathan cuts me off and smiles at me. "My kind, smart, beautiful angel... Izabella you have made my life so much brighter with your light, I wouldn't change a thing!"

I close my eyes, leaning into him and his comforting embrace. My heart flutters in my throat, threatening to take off if I open my mouth.

He loves me... flaws and all.

When I open my watery eyes I see Jonathan's intense gaze locked on mine, his features are etched with concern. Without hesitation I bring my lips to his and wrap my arms around his neck, allowing myself to have this. Jonathan tightens his hold on me and molds me against him, never breaking our kiss.

I pull back, feeling lightheaded and Jonathan rests his forehead against mine as we catch our breaths. The silence between us is easy as we revel in this shared moment and intimacy.

"I'm not going anywhere... you'd have to kick me out and even then, you're not going to get rid of me that easy," Jonathan teases, rubbing his nose across mine.

"Never," I whisper, looking up at him. The thought of losing him ties my stomach in knots.

"We can go back upstairs," he asks, pulling back to watch my reaction.

I shake my head not wanting to let my insecurities win. "Can we stay? I just need to freshen up."

"You sure?" He asks, pursing his lips like he doesn't believe me.

"It's my first time... I don't want it to end yet Sir," I murmur, looking up at him through my dark lashes.

"As you wish, my vixen," he coos, bopping the end of my nose. "I want you to have fun, if you're not, tell me and we can go."

"Yes Sir," I reply, turning back towards the mansion. Jonathan just shakes his head at me like I'm a lost cause and guides us back inside. Before making it back to the hall with the party we bump into Anne.

"Everything okay?" She asks him, sparing me a quick look.

"Yeah, there was a misunderstanding but everything's good, right Izzy?" Jonathan prompts.

Not trusting my voice I just nod and hope he'll let it slide. Anne shifts her attention from Jonathan to me and eyes me skeptically for a moment.

"Give her here and I'll help her freshen up," she says, holding out her hand.

"Behave," he growls and slaps the leash into her hand with a stern look.

"Come Izzy," Anne orders, leading me away from Jonathan towards a hallway.

"Yes Mistress," I instantly reply, giving him one last look before I follow her.